CD Reviews

Loose is Great !

Jonathan Greenberg | San Francisco.Ca | 02/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a Tele Player and I was lucky enough to see Campilongo play a dozen times at the Paradise Lounge while Jim was still living in SF. After seeing these shows I' wasconvinced he is one of the all-time best Tele players . Loose captures that Paradise Lounge era ( mid to late 90's?) very successfully .Campilongo is one of the true innovative stylist's playing electric guitar today..The important aspect of Jim's playing is his soulfulness and composition as a writer and improviser. That seperates him from the wolf-pack. The whole band is a real treat and Goldman is amazing on this one! This CD is great ."

Excellent

maccoun | Berkeley, CA United States | 11/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know why another reviewer felt compelled to rank this relative to the Hellecasters. It isn't as if you have to choose between the Hellecasters and Campignola, unless you are headed to a desert island with room for only 1 cd. If you aren't, and you like the Hellecasters, you shouldn't deprive yourself of Campignola. I think the soloing here is exquisite; Campignolo is a master of nuance, tone, taste, and humor. Campignolo is at times reminscent of other guitarists -- Jimmy Bryant, Danny Gatton, Scotty Anderson, Roy Buchanan, and Bill Frisell -- but he has his own distinct style (especially with respect to composition), and I for one think my collection is vastly richer for having discovered his work."

Harlem Nocturne and more...

maccoun | 12/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this Sophmore release is stronger then the 1st Cat's release because of it's sonic improvements and great original material."Loose" for the most part sounds like a Cat's live show ( hence the title ). Harlem Nocturne is an absolute must hear that blows the roof off any version I've ever heard ( including Gatton's ) . Campilongo's songwriting seems more mature and he seems to be rattling the cage of Country confines pretty successfully . The title track "Loose" sounds like and Ellington cover and "Above Paradise" sounds like a "Santo and Johny " B-side. "Botro the Robot" sounds like ....well , pure Campilongo and Cat's ! The Les Paul tribute on "Mr Sandman" is one of my favorite guitar solo's of all time and I've used it as a "Campilongo selling track" to people who haven't heard Jim yet. They become Campilongo converts everytime ! If you liked the first cd I think you'll love "Loose"."